Cardiovascular diseases (also called CVD) are still the number one cause of death in the world.
A new report from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study shows that one in every three people who die, die because of a heart problem.
The report was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC), using data from 204 countries between 1990 and 2023.
This study found that heart disease causes more deaths and illness than any other condition. In 2023, 19.2 million people died from heart-related issues, compared to 13.1 million in 1990. The number of people living with heart disease and related conditions also increased a lot—from 320 million in 1990 to 437 million in 2023.
Why is heart disease getting worse? There are a few reasons. First, the world’s population is growing and getting older. Second, people are being exposed to more health risks. These include poor diet, obesity, diabetes, air pollution, and not getting enough exercise. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar also play a big role.
The study found that 79.6% of all heart-related health problems could be prevented. That’s because they are caused by things people can change, like what they eat or how active they are. For example, having a high body mass index (BMI), high blood sugar, and high blood pressure were some of the biggest risk factors.
Other risks included air pollution, lead exposure, smoking, poor diet, drinking too much alcohol, and not exercising.
The researchers found that men are more likely to die from heart disease than women, and that the risk goes up a lot after age 50. Ischemic heart disease (where blood flow to the heart is blocked) and strokes were two of the most common and serious problems.
Ischemic heart disease affected 240 million people in 2023, and strokes continued to be a major cause of death and disability.
The report also found that some risks are getting worse, especially obesity and diabetes. Between 2018 and 2023, high BMI and high blood sugar levels increased faster than before. Air pollution was also responsible for nearly 4 million heart-related deaths in 2023, especially in areas like Oceania.
However, there is some good news. Smoking and indoor air pollution are decreasing in many places, which is helping reduce some heart-related deaths.
Dr. Gregory Roth, one of the lead authors, says that this report can help countries take action. “If we focus on the biggest risks and use proven treatments and policies, we can save lives,” he said.
Another expert, Dr. Harlan Krumholz, said, “This is a wake-up call. Heart disease is still the top killer in the world, and it’s growing fastest in the places that are least prepared to deal with it. But we know what causes it, and we know how to stop it.”
The data in the report is being shared with world leaders at a special United Nations event to highlight the urgent need to improve heart health around the world.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about a new cause of heart rhythm disorders and eating just one cup of nitrate-rich vegetables daily can reduce heart disease risk.
For more about heart health, please read studies about blood thinners that may not prevent stroke in people with heartbeat problems and this diabetes drug may protect heart health in older veterans.
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